- Leading British event rider Harry Meade signed as Land Rover UK's latest equestrian ambassador
- Meade joins existing ambassadors and British Olympians Zara Phillips, Ben Maher and Laura Tomlinson
- Appointment further strengthens Land Rover's long term support of equestrian sport in the UK and worldwide
- Land Rover is headline sponsor of Burghley Horse Trials which runs from 3rd ‑ 6th September 2015
Whitley, UK, 19th August 2015. Land Rover UK has today announced one of Britain's leading three‑day event riders Harry Meade as its latest equestrian ambassador signing.
The World Championships 2014 team silver medallist joins a stable of Land Rover equestrian ambassadors which include former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist Zara Phillips and Olympic team gold medallists, show jumper Ben Maher and dressage rider Laura Tomlinson.
Meade has been a member of Team GBR's World Class Squad for the past seven years and last year he was part of the team that secured Great Britain's place at Rio 2016 by winning the silver medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy.
The son of three times Olympic gold medallist, Richard Meade, said: "I am extremely excited to be working with Land Rover. The brand has such heritage within the equestrian world, especially here in the UK, and their vehicles are used week in week out by the equestrian community across the country. I am really looking forward to being part of the Land Rover team and working closely with them in the future."
Laura Schwab, Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover UK, said: "We are delighted to have Harry join the prestigious line‑up of Land Rover UK sporting ambassadors. His achievements in the saddle are remarkable and hugely inspiring, having overcome real adversity in recent years yet still competing at the top of his game. We are excited to work with him and to further engage and reward our customers with his presence throughout the season."
In his new role as a Land Rover ambassador, Harry will be supporting the marque's activity at its showcase equestrian sponsorship event; Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, which takes place on 3‑6 September. Show goers can enjoy an off‑road thrill showcasing the all‑terrain capabilities of the Land Rover product line up at the Land Rover Experience area. Children can try their hand with the remote control Defenders on a demanding off‑road course and Land Rover owners can show their key fob and gain entry to the hospitality area for food and refreshments throughout the trials.
One of the product highlights for the trials this year is the Land Rover Defender 2,000,000 which will be on display at the Land Rover stand. The vehicle has been created to be a fitting tribute to almost seven decades of production at the Solihull plant, UK and will be auctioned off at globally renowned auction house, Bonhams in December with all proceeds going to Land Rover's humanitarian and conservation partners ‑ the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Born Free Foundation. This will be joined on the Land Rover stand by the current product line‑up and a pioneering towing technology will be exhibited by Lion Bridge.
As a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, Land Rover will also be bringing rugby fever to Burghley. On Friday the Domestic Trophy Tour will be stopping at Burghley as part of its 100 day route around the UK leading up to the Tournament kick off on 18th September, giving people chance to see the Webb Ellis Cup in its custom made Land Rover Defender.
There will also be an opportunity for children aged between 7 and 13 to audition for the chance to be a Rugby World Cup mascot during the Tournament and spectators at the trials even have a chance to win tickets to the final at Twickenham.
In celebration of the 32‑year‑old's ambassador appointment, Land Rover has released a short film which takes viewers behind the scenes at Meade's beautiful yard in Wiltshire. The film gives a unique glimpse into the event rider's first‑class equestrian facilities, as he tells his unique and inspirational story of how he overcame a career threatening injury to win silver at the World Championships just a year later.
ENDS
Notes to the editors
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P01s1bqUVj4&feature=youtu.be
About Harry Meade
Harry is one of Britain's leading event riders. He represented Great Britain as part of the silver medal winning team at the 2014 World Championships in Normandy. He has completed Badminton nine times from as many starts, last year finishing in 3rd place and has completed Burghley five times. Harry has been part of the Lottery‑funded World Class Squad for the past seven years and is also a member of the GB Nations Cup Squad.
About Land Rover
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true breadth of capability across the model range. Defender, Discovery Sport, Discovery, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors. Land Rover products are currently sold in approximately 180 global markets.
About Land Rover's Equestrian Support
Land Rover has been supporting equestrian sport in the UK and around the world for over 25 years. Land Rover's sponsorship of equestrian sport celebrates the strength of partnership shared by both a horse and rider and a Land Rover owner and their vehicle. Land Rover supports leading British riders Zara Philips, Harry Meade, Ben Maher and Laura Tomlinson and is title sponsor of two of the biggest equestrian events in the UK, Royal Windsor Horse Show (13‑17 May 2015) and Burghley Horse Trials (3‑6 September 2015). Land Rover is official vehicle supplier to Equestrian Team GBR. Land Rover also supports the Festival of British Eventing, Bramham International Horse Trials and Guards Polo Club. For more information visit www.landrover.co.uk/equestrian
For further press information:
Hannah Mogg, E: hannah.mogg@fasttrackagency.com
T: 020 7593 5296 M: 07786 052926
Jessica Rumboll, E: jrumboll@landrover.com T:
024 7656 4258 M: 07880 177300